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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Is Screening Cargo Containers For Smuggled Nuclear Threats Worthwhile?, Jason R. W. Merrick, Laura A. Mclay
Is Screening Cargo Containers For Smuggled Nuclear Threats Worthwhile?, Jason R. W. Merrick, Laura A. Mclay
Statistical Sciences and Operations Research Publications
In recent years, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has installed radiation sensors to screen cargo containers entering theUnited States. They are concerned that terrorists could use containers to smuggle radiological material into the country and carry out attacks with dirty bombs or a nuclear device. Recent studies have questioned the value of improving this screening system with new sensor technology. The cost of delays caused by frequent false alarms outweighs any reduction in the probability of an attack in an expected cost analysis. We extend existing methodology in three ways to demonstrate how additional factors affect the value of screening …